Multipurpose container



Dec. 16, 1969 J. B. SWETT ET Al.

MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1968 ATTORNEY Dec. 1e, 1969 fa SWET'T ET AL '3,484,035

MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1968 JRMV ATTOR EY Dec. 16, 1969 J. B, swET'T ETAL MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 8. 1968 INVENTORS. fix/f77 f/z-/f/M/ A 5490# mgl ATTORNEY i Dec. 16, 196.9 J. B. SWETT ETAL 3,484,035

MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER Filed Jan. 8, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

ATTOR 1 nited States Patent O US. Cl. 229-15 15 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLSURE A container adapted to store deviled and whole eggs, said container having a tight sealing closure and individual egg storing trays that are removable. Parts of the egg storing device can also be used individually for a variety of purposes.

This invention relates to a storing device and container. More specifically, the invention relates to a storing device that is adapted to store foodstuffs and is particularly wellsuited for storing eggs. Because eggs are among the most popular of food items, a continuing field of endeavor is the design and manufacture of containers and storing devices for eggs. Accordingly, there is prOvided in accordance with this invention a storage means for eggs or the like including a compartmented container, a tight sealing closure therefor, and an egg tray. These components have cooperating functional features which provide advantages in the storing and handling of eggs or like articles when they are used in combination with eacl'. other. The container has additional utility for storingJ and serving items other than eggs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a container type storing means having interchangeable and removable parts.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such parts that can be easily interlitted.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a scalable storage container with an attendant further object of provisions in such a container for storing eggs.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a compact storing tray which can hold the maximum number of eggs in a minimum storing space.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a compartmented container having a lower container portion and an upper portion whereby the lower portion can be used to store one item while the upper container portion can be used as a bracket or holder for another item.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a container having scalable remOvable closure and specially designed handle members to permit ease of removal of such closure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a multicompartmented container in an integral structure having a separate supporting side wall formed integrally with said compartments.

The foregoing and other objects will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof which follows.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the storing means according to the invention showing the various components thereof in their respective functional relationships;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the container according to the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of said container;

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FIGURE 4 is a View in vertical cross section taken along line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a View in vertical cross section taken along line 5 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the container as shown within line 6 6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged crOss sectional view of the closure and container that are shown as parts in FIGURE 1 in assembled relationship;

FIGURE 8 is a view in vertical cross section taken along line 8 8 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan View of a tray according to the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a view in vertical cross section taken along line 1t) 10 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE l1 is a view in perspective showing the utility of the container according to the invention separate and apart from that shown with respect to FIGURE l.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a storage means in FIGURE l including a container 10, tray members 11, and closure 12. As shown in that figure, the various members are adapted to be intertted with the trays fitting into the compartments of container 10 and the cover being adapted to form a tight seal with the container.

The primary use of the storage means of the invention is that of an egg storing and holding means. To this end, tray 11 has formed therein recesses being in the configuration of hemi-ovate indentatiOns 13. The tray 11 is formed with a at rectangular base 14 into which the indentations 13 are impressed. Base 14 is defined by side and end terminal portions which are formed as downwardly extending flanges 15 which extend to a point above the bottom of indentations 13.

As shown in FIGURE 9, the hemi-ovate indentations 13 of tray 11 are formed in two rows parallel to the elongated side terminal portion of base 14. Individual indentations 13 are mutually parallel to the end terminal portions of base 14. As shown, the indentations are located with their major axes positioned diagonally from the side and end terminal portions. This positioning is particularly advantageous in fitting a large number of eggs on a relatively small surface. Due to the particular arrangement and positioning of indentations 13, nger engageable slots 16 are offset on opposite sides of a parallel line equidstant from and mutually parallel to the center lines of the two aligned rOws of indentations. This offset effects a further economy of space. As shown, slots 16 are equally spaced from the radii of hemi-ovatc indentations 13.

Again, as best shown in FIGURE 9, finger engageable slots 16 are of semi-circular configuration. In that form, the slots are conveniently provided with a ange 17 tapering from a point of maximum height opposite the terminal side portion of base 14 to a minimum height adjacent the side portion. This provides a convenient linger grippatble ridge to prevent inadvertent dropping when the tray is handled. Moreover, the maximum height portion of ilange 17 provides a thick ring to prevent sharp edges on the tray portion at the point where the lingers would engage such.

In the embodiment shown, eight hemi-ovate indentations 13 are provided on an individual tray. When two such trays are used together, as in the preferred embodiment, they will hold sixteen eggs. Thus, a user, upon reaching the point where there are four or less eggs remaining in the trays, will have storage Space for a full dozen eggs.

The container 10 of the invention is formed with side walls 18 and bottom wall 19. The side walls have a first side wall portion 20 extending upwardly from bottom 19, an outwardly extending portion 21 directed laterally from said first side wall portion 20 and a second side wall portion 22 extending upwardly from said outwardly extending portion 21 and terminating in an upper outwardly extending wall 26. As best seen in FIGURE 4, first side wall portions 20 define a box portion 23 in said container below said outwardly extending portion 21. In the preferred form shown, outwardly extending portion 21 forms a shelf or ledge above said box portion 23. This shelf:` portion can serve to support a container 24 in the manner shown in FIGURE 11. Ice, as well as other heating and cooling mediums, can be placed in box portion 23 when it is used in this manner. Accordingly, even if hemi-ovate indentations 13 are placed in the container bottom wall 19 the provision of a separate box portion such as that as formed by the first side wall portions 20 of the container provides a container having multiple utility while at the same time being characterized by a simplicity of structure.

When the container is used as a receptacle for tray 11, the box portion 23 formed by first side wall portions cooperate with fianges 15 of tray 11 to give a stable interfitting of the tray into the container. The flanges 15 provide a guide when the tray is placed in box portion 23. It will be readily apparent that the flanges prevent overriding of the base portion 14 on top of outwardly extending portion 21.

In the preferred multicompartment container 10 a separate sidewall 25 is provided along two sides thereof and serves as a supplemental support, thus complementing sidewall 18. Separate supporting side wall 25 is connected to said side wall 18 by the upper outwardly extending Wall 26. An upstanding peripheral rim formed as an outwardly fiared peripheral flange 18 extends from the wall 26. This flange 18 in some areas of the preferred container is a terminal extension of the second sidewall portion 22. If, however, a single compartment container is employed, it may provide such a terminal extensior around the entire container periphery.

In the preferred form shown in the drawings adjacent container compartments are provided in container 10. Each of the containers is formed as previously described according to the invention. The upper adjacent second side wall portions 22 are connected by a connecting wall 27 which is substantially horizontal. Due to the structure of Walls 27, 22, 21 and 20, a substantially rigid nondeformable connection is formed between the adjacent containers.

Closure 12, when used with container 10 either alone or in combination with tray 11, provides a tightly sealed storing means. The closure is formed with top wall 28, side Walls 29 terminating in a peripheral rim shown generally at 30. 'I'he peripheral rim has a first upwardly directed U-shaped section 31 and a second downwardly directed U-shaped section 32 being positioned outwardly of section 31. In this embodiment, downwardly directed U-shaped section 32 forms a tight seal when installed on outwardly fiared peripheral fiange 18. The seal formed is particularly effective when closure 12 or flange 18' is formed of a resilient locally distortable material. It is presently preferred to use low density polyethylene in closure 12 and high density, linear polyethylene or polypropylene for forming container 10 and trays 11.

Container 10 also comprises handle members 33 which are formed as flanges extending from the non-adjacent second side wall portions 22 thereof. The handles 33 extend outwardly from the second side wall portions 22 and have tapered portions 34 proximate the corners 35 of upstanding peripheral fiange 18. The tapered portions are such that a closure engaged with fiange 18 can easily be engaged by a users finger for removal thereof. The relationship of tapered end portions 34 and corners 35 of upstanding peripheral flange 18' is as shown in FIG- URE 6.

We claim:

1. A tray for holding and storing eggs and the like said tray having a relatively fiat rectangular base dened by side and end terminal portions, said base having a plurality of hemi-ovate indentations located with their major axes positioned diagonally from said side and end terminal portions, said hemi-ovate indentations being aligned in at least two rows parallel to said side terminal .portion with the individual indentations being formed in rows parallel to said end terminal portion, and finger engageable slots cut into said end walls intermediate and equally spaced from the radii of said hemi-ovate indentations, said finger engageable slots respectively being offset on opposite sides of a line equidistant from and mutually parallel to the centerlines of said aligned rows.

2. A tray according to claim 1 wherein said finger engageable slots are of semi-circular configuration and have a peripheral upwardly extending fiange therearound, said fiange tapering from a point of maximum height opposite said terminal side portion of said base to a point of minimum height adjacent said side portion.

3. A tray according to claim 1 wherein said side and end terminal portions of said base are formed as a downwardly extending fiange, said fiange extending to a point above the bottom of said hemi-ovate indentations.

4. A tray according to claim 1 wherein eight hemiovate indentations are provided in rows of four each in said base.

5. A storing device comprising:

a container defined by at least one tray, including a base bounded by side and end terminal portions and having a plurality of hemi-ovate indentations formed therein, and by a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from and adjacent to said side and end terminal portions and terminating in an upstanding peripheral flange, said hemi-ovate indentations being located with their major axes positioned diagonally from and being aligned in at least two rows parallel to said side walls; and

a closure having a peripheral rim portion adapted to form a tight seal with said upstanding peripheral fiange.

6. A multicompartmented container comprising adjacent container compartments, said container compartments comprising side walls, and a bottom wall, said side walls having a first side wall portion extending upwardly from said Ibottom Wall to a point intermediate the top and bottom of said side wall, an outwardly extending portion directed outwardly from said first side wall portion. and a second side wall portion extending upwardly from said outwardly extending portion to terminate in an upstanding peripheral rim, said lower side Wall portion defining a box portion in said container compartments below said outwardly extending portion, the upper adjacent second side wall portions of said compartments being joined by a substantially horizontal connecting wall, said joined compartments having an integral upstanding peripheral flange formed therewith, said upstanding outwardly flared peripheral fiange being formed as an extension of said second side wall portion at a location opposite said adjacent second side Wall portions.

7. A- container according to claim 6 wherein said outwardly extending portion forms a shelf above said box portion.

8. A container according to claim 6 wherein said container has a separate supporting side wall, said separate side wall being formed substantially parallel but spaced from said first and second side wall portions, said supporting side wall connected to said first and second side wall portions by an upper outwardly extending wall, said upwardly extending wall connecting to the upper of said supporting side wall and the upper wall of said second side wall portion.

9. A storing device comprising a container having a bottom wall and side walls, said side walls having a first side wall portion extending upwardly from said 'bottom wall to a point intermediate the top and bottom of said side wall, an

outwardly extending portion directed outwardly from said first side wall portion, and a second side wall portion extending upwardly from said outwardly extending portion to terminate in an upstanding peripheral rim, said lower side wall portion dening a box portion in said container below said outwardly extending portion; and,

a tray adapted to tit into said box portion, said tray having a at rectangular base defined by side and end terminal portions, said base having a plurality of indentations, said tray normally resting upon the bottoms of said indentations, said tray having side and end terminal portions thereof formed as a downwardly extending ange, said flange extending to a point above the bottom of said indentations.

10. A storing device according to claim 9 wherein said tray has a flat rectangular base defined by side and end terminal portions, said base having plurality of hemiovate indentations located with their major axes positioned diagonally from said side walls, said hemi-ovate indentations being aligned in at least two rows parallel to said side walls with the individual indentations being formed in rows parallel to said end walls, and iinger engageable slots cut into said end walls intermediate and equally spaced from the radii of said hemi-ovate indentations, said iinger engageable slots respectively being ofiset on opposite sides of a parallel line equidistant and mutually parallel to the center lines of said aligned rows, the side and end terminal portions of said base being formed as a downwardly extending flange, said flange extending to a point above the bottom of said hemi-ovate indentations.

11. A storage means for eggs or the like comprising a multicompartmented container having adjacent container compartments, said container compartments comprising side walls and a bottom Wall, said side walls having a first side wall portion extending upwardly from said bottom wall to a point intermediate the top and bottom of said side wall, an outwardly extending portion directed laterally from said side wall portion, and a second side wall portion extending upwardly from said outwardly extending portion to terminate in an upstanding peripheral rim, said lower side wall portion defining a box portion in said container compartments below said outwardly extending portion, the upper adjacent second side wall portions of said compartments being joined by substantially horizontal connected wall, said joined compartments having an integral upstanding peripheral flange formed therewith said upstanding peripheral flange being formed as an extension of said second side wall portion at a location opposite said adjacent second side wall portion; and,

a tray for each of said container compartments, said trays having relatively at rectangular bases defined by side and end terminal portions, said bases having a plurality of hemi-ovate indentations located with their major axes positioned diagonally from said side walls, said hemi-ovate indentations being aligned in at least two rows parallel to said side walls with the individual indentations being formed in rows parallel to said end walls, and linger engageable slots cut into said end rows intermediate and equally spaced from the radii of said hemi-ovate indentations, said linger engageable slots respectively being offset on opposite sides of a parallel line equidistant from and mutually parallel to the center lines of said aligned rows.

12. Av container according to claim 11 further comprising a closure having a peripheral rim portion adapted to form a tight seal with said upstanding peripheral rim of said container.

13. A container according to claim 12 wherein said peripheral rim portion is formed as an outwardly flared peripheral ange and said peripheral rim portion of said closure is formed as a downwardly directed U-shaped groove adapted to form a tight seal with said flange.

14. A container according to claim 12 wherein Said closure has a peripheral rim having a irst upwardly directed U-shaped section and a second downwardly directed U-shaped section outwardly of said first section wherein said second U-shaped section is engageable with said upstanding outwardly flared peripheral ange.

15. A container according to claim 14 further comprising handles formed as flanges extending from the nonadjacent second side wall portions of said container, said handles extending outwardly therefrom and said handles having tapered end portions proximate the corners of said upstanding peripheral ange, the tapered portions being such that a closure engaged with said ange can be engaged by a users linger for easy removal thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 254,517 3/1882 Tipton 217-26 1,223,872 4/1917 Hartley et al 217-265 1,708,890 4/1929 Lowe 217-26.5 3,184,047 5/1965 Gilman et al. 229-25 3,391,816 7/1968 SWett 15G-.5 X 3,281,063 10/1966 PeSut 229-25 DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

